SUZUKI'S new city car the Celerio will cost from £7,999 when it hits UK streets in February.

That tab is for the SZ3 model while the other trim grade, the more comprehensively kitted out SZ4, will cost £8,999.

And the Japanese brand is promising to major on passenger and load space in a compact package for the model, which will replace the Aveo at the bottom end of the manufacturer's small car range.

That means an elevated driving position, interior space that surpasses most conventional city cars and a class leading luggage capacity of 254 litres - from a body of just 3,600mm and width of 1,600mm.

Standard kit for the SZ3 will include six airbags, ESP, air-con, alloy wheels, DAB radio, CD, USB, Bluetooth and remote central locking.

The better equipped SZ4 model adds polished alloys, rear electric windows, front fog lamps, body coloured door mirrors and a chrome front grille.

CO2 emissions will be low at 99g/km and fuel consumption from the 1.0-litre petrol engine has been set at a Combined 65.7mpg.

But next summer a new powertrain featuring Suzuki's Dualjet engine technology will be available offering even higher fuel economy and emissions of just 84g/km.

Also available at that time will be Suzuki's newly developed Auto Gear Shift featuring an intelligent shift control actuator at the top of the transmission that operates the gearshift and clutch automatically.

Celerio will be available in six colours of which five are optional metallic finish and one a solid colour.